At the western end of the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe stands at Place Charles de Gaulle, where 12 avenues meet. Napoleon commissioned the monument to honor French armies; its carved reliefs and inscriptions commemorate military campaigns and those who fought in them. Beneath the arch, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is marked by an eternal flame. Climb the 284 steps to the terrace for views of the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Élysées and the avenues radiating across Paris. You can also admire the monument from the outside without entering.
Napoleon’s monument
Napoleon commissioned the Arc de Triomphe in 1806 after the French victory at Austerlitz. He intended it to honor his armies, but construction took three decades, and he did not live to see the finished monument. It was inaugurated in 1836.
The arch commemorates those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Its surfaces carry names of battles, generals and military figures, while sculpted reliefs depict episodes from the campaigns. Take a closer look at the carved scenes and inscriptions from the ground before heading upstairs.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Beneath the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating a French soldier who died in the First World War. An eternal flame burns at the tomb and is rekindled each evening at 6:30pm. The memorial remains central to the meaning of the site, alongside its celebration of earlier military victories.
The terrace and the city’s avenues
The rooftop terrace gives a view of Paris in several directions. The Champs-Élysées runs away from the arch, and the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur are visible among the city’s landmarks. From above, you can also see the 12 avenues that converge at Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly called Place de l’Étoile.
The monument sits on the Axe Historique, an urban line connecting landmarks from the Louvre, through the Champs-Élysées, toward La Défense. From the terrace, the city’s layout becomes easier to read, with the older centre and the modern business district on opposite sides of the view.
Getting to the monument
The Arc de Triomphe stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, in the centre of a busy traffic circle. Reach it through the underground passage rather than crossing the road at street level. The exterior and the space around the arch can be seen without entering; access to the terrace requires a ticket.
The climb to the top is by a staircase of 284 steps, which can be narrow and challenging. If you plan to go up, check the official website for ticket and visit information before setting out. Sunset is a good time to look for views over the avenues as the light changes.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is the Arc de Triomphe?
It stands at Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
How do you reach the Arc de Triomphe safely?
Use the underground passage to get to the monument. The arch is surrounded by a busy traffic circle.
How many steps are there to the rooftop terrace?
The climb to the terrace is 284 steps.
Can you see the Arc de Triomphe without a ticket?
You can view the monument from outside without entering. A ticket is needed to access the rooftop terrace.
